Master of Art in Counseling - Marriage and Family Therapy

The Marriage and Family Therapy Program focuses on a core curriculum designed to prepare students to work from a systemic perspective with individuals, couples and families in a variety of mental health settings. Marriage and Family Therapists diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within individuals, couples, families, and groups from a relational/systemic perspective. They encourage and assist clients in developing and using skills and strategies for confronting problems constructively. The MFT Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and has been approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board as meeting the educational requirements for marriage and family licensure and professional counselor licensure. The Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) can help deepen your understanding of relationships as you explore ways to address emotional, mental, and interpersonal challenges in a variety of contexts. In this program, you can study advanced therapy concepts that are informed by both research and practical application, with an emphasis on helping clients improve their mental health and work toward building healthier relationships. Throughout your courses, you can examine topics such as crisis therapy and trauma healing as well as research methods and legal issues. You’ll also have the opportunity to gain experience through an internship component, where you can connect classroom learning to real-world practice under the guidance of experienced practitioners.  

Career Path 

Graduate career path includes Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Couples Counselor (Relationship & Communication Therapy), Substance Abuse & Family Recovery Counselor, Family Therapist (Parenting, Child & Adolescent Counseling), School-Based Family Counselor (K–12 or Higher Education), Trauma & Grief Family Therapist, Child & Adolescent Therapist (Family Systems Focus), Community Mental Health Clinician (Family Outreach Programs), Premarital & Marital Counselor (Faith-Based or Secular Settings), Divorce & Custody Mediator (Family Court Systems), Correctional Family Counselor (Juvenile & Adult Facilities), Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Family Counselor, Military & Veterans Family Therapist, Policy Advocate (Family & Mental Health Legislation).